Withnail & I (1987)

The critic calls it a classic from the first, with enduring mastery of tone that blends humour and sadness as a bittersweet requiem for the 1960s dream. The rich, sweet sadness permeating every frame and the struggle against loneliness and failure are singled out for praise.

The review highlights the film's enduring appeal through Bruce Robinson's quotable script and strong performances from Grant and McGann, describing it as an incredibly funny yet sad and sharp dark comedy that remains a perfect student staple.

Ebert praises the film's authentic and hilarious portrayal of heavy drinking and the end of the 1960s. He singles out Richard E. Grant's tour-de-force performance as the furious, iconic Withnail.

The film is a cultishly adored comedy centered on two struggling actors in 1960s London whose boozy misadventures highlight themes of failure and the end of an era. It excels through strong characterization, particularly Richard E. Grant's memorable performance as the tragicomic Withnail.

The critic is baffled by the film's cult reputation despite its wry tone and Richard E. Grant's magnificent central performance. It still comes across as a slight, meandering tale overwhelmed by that lead turn.

Thomas hails it as a deliciously witty and sophisticated character comedy and a knockout directorial debut. He singles out Richard Griffiths' hilarious performance as the eccentric Uncle Monty for special praise.

Bruce Robinson’s cult comedy is a burnt-out ode to 1960s squalor and a stoner bromance that balances black comedy with pathos through idiosyncratic long takes and sharp wit. It stands out for its acerbic worldview and the compelling dynamic between the leads amid disillusionment.

Canby calls it a bracing, wise and breezy English comedy that contemplates the bilious aftermath of the 1960s. He praises Robinson's dialogue and the performances of the two leads as young actors facing hangovers and aimlessness.

The review describes it as a comic gem about the end of an era and the seedy demise of the hippie period. It praises the brutal and clever humor along with uniformly excellent acting, especially Richard Griffiths as Uncle Monty.

The critic praises the film as a timeless classic with universal appeal beneath its quintessentially English humour and quotable dialogue. They single out its poignant depiction of the end of the 1960s as a bittersweet tale of disillusioned youth produced in the Thatcher era.

The critic gives an emphatically positive verdict on the re-release, calling it worth seeing again on the big screen for its script, performances and cinematography. They single out Richard E Grant's comic acting as a masterpiece while noting the film's melancholy undercurrent.